“Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou- Summary & Analysis

About Poem: Caged Bird

Poem Title	Caged Bird
Author	Maya Angelou
Publication year	1983
Genre	Autobiographical, Coming-of-age, Poetry
Form	Free verse
Theme	Freedom and oppression, racial inequality, self-expression, identity, resilience
Language	Simple, direct language with powerful imagery
Structure	The poem consists of three stanzas, with varying line lengths, and the use of rhyme and rhythm.
Symbols	The two birds represent the oppressed and the oppressor; the caged bird’s song represents hope and resilience.
Literary devices	Metaphor, simile, personification, enjambment

Themes: Caged Bird

The themes of “Caged Bird” by Maya Angelou are:

1. Freedom ➤ The desire for freedom and equality.
2. Oppression ➤ The experience of being restricted or treated unfairly.
3. Identity ➤ Discovering who you are and expressing it.
4. Resilience ➤ The ability to endure and overcome challenges.
5. Racial Inequality ➤ The unfair treatment of people based on their race.

Caged Bird Poem by Maya Angelou

A free bird leaps

on the back of the wind   

and floats downstream   

till the current ends

and dips his wing

in the orange sun rays

and dares to claim the sky.

But a bird that stalks

down his narrow cage

can seldom see through

his bars of rage

his wings are clipped and   

his feet are tied

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings   

with a fearful trill   

of things unknown   

but longed for still   

and his tune is heard   

on the distant hill   

for the caged bird   

sings of freedom.

The free bird thinks of another breeze

and the trade winds soft through the sighing trees

and the fat worms waiting on a dawn bright lawn

and he names the sky his own.

But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams   

his shadow shouts on a nightmare scream   

his wings are clipped and his feet are tied   

so he opens his throat to sing.

The caged bird sings   

with a fearful trill   

of things unknown   

but longed for still   

and his tune is heard   

on the distant hill   

for the caged bird   

sings of freedom.

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Caged Bird Summary & Analysis

Caged Bird by Maya Angelou is a poignant and symbolic poem that tells the story of two birds, one free and one caged, to illustrate the concept of freedom and oppression. The poem is often interpreted as a commentary on the African American experience in the United States.

Stanza 1

In the first stanza, the poet describes the free bird as “leaping on the back of the wind” and “dipping his wing in the orange sun rays.” This imagery paints a vivid picture of a bird soaring through the open sky, enjoying the boundless freedom of the outdoors. In contrast, the caged bird is described as having a “barrier his feet are tied” and “his wings are clipped and his feet are tied.” These lines depict a bird confined within the limitations of a cage, unable to experience the joys of the open world.

Stanza 2

The second stanza further emphasizes the contrast between the two birds. The free bird “dares to claim the sky” and “names the sky his own.” This signifies the freedom to explore and possess the vast expanse of the sky. On the other hand, the caged bird’s song is described as “a fearful trill,” which conveys a sense of fear and restriction. The caged bird’s song is not the joyful, spontaneous melody of the free bird; it is a cry for help.

Stanza 3

In the third stanza, the poet delves into the emotional state of the caged bird. The caged bird’s heart “is sore,” and it longs for freedom. It “stalks down his narrow cage” in a manner that suggests frustration and yearning. The caged bird’s cry for freedom is a “shadow of the things that are” – a stark reminder of the life beyond the cage.

Stanza 4

The fourth stanza draws a powerful comparison between the free bird and the caged bird. The free bird “floats downstream” in the gentle breeze, while the caged bird’s “wings are clipped and his feet are tied” to prevent it from experiencing such liberty. The juxtaposition of these images highlights the stark difference in their experiences.

Stanza 5

The fifth stanza underscores the idea that the caged bird still dreams of freedom. It sings of the “dream that is heard” and the “hope that stands.” This suggests that even in its captivity, the caged bird clings to the hope of one day breaking free.

Stanza 6

In the final stanza, the poet reflects on the contrasting attitudes of the free bird and the caged bird. The free bird “sings of freedom” and “the trade winds soft through the sighing trees.” In contrast, the caged bird’s song is a “prayer that he sends from his heart’s deep core.” This prayer represents the caged bird’s yearning for freedom, a plea to escape the confines of its cage.

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